Lightning rod



LIGHTNING ROD Filed Aug. 5, 192

Om/72 e55 J In 129/2 tar ChOk/GJ .p' p4//UJ Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES D. DALLAS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIGHTNING ROD.

Application filed August 5, 1921.

My invention relates to lightning rods, and has among its objects the production of a rod of the kind described which is simple, economical, easily assembled, of few parts, and durable, reliable, efiicient and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a lightning rod of locked seamed sheet metal of tubular formation and made in cooperating sectional form, each section telescoping into the adjacent section, whereby additional connecting sleeves are dispensed with.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rod made of locked seamed copper tubing of foliate cross-sectional form, or star shaped formation, and preferably twisted along its length, so that as there is no iron or other metal entering into the construction thereof, there will be no possibility of rust or other similar deterioration, said rod being extremely light, .durable and economical, and comprising a large surface for conducting electricity.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a connecting rod installation showing my improved hollow sectional form;

Fig. 2 is a detail showing the preferred manner of connecting adjacent sections;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view showing the T connection between a horizontal cable rod and an upright of my improved form;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 4, but with a modified form;

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an elevation partially in section of a connecting rod point of my improved form, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Serial No. 490,052.

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated a peferred embodiment of my invention, there is shown a lightning rod comprising a plurality of cooperating mated interconnected sections 11, said sections being preferably of substantially pure sheet copper tubing and preferably provided with a lock seam 4 therealong. As shown, the tubular sections are preferably of foliate form, or star shaped, in radial cross-section; that is, they have radial projections or ribs extending longitudinally thereof, said rods being preferably twisted along their length so that said ribs 5 are spiral longitudinally of the rod. The rods of the hollow star shape formation afl ord a large surface for conducting electricity and are flexible and light, while being extremely sturdy in constuction.

The sections or rod are connected together without the use of auxiliary sleeves or castings, simply by compressing or taperin one of the ends 2 of the rods so that, as s own in Fig. 2, the ribs are compressed at 5, and said end may telescope with a spiral or twisting movement within the opposed adjacent end Sof the adjacent rod 1. The telescoping or spiralling of the rod sections into one another may be to any desired length, and after they have been telescoped together they may be securely locked against accidental displacement by crimping together or punching through the connected ends, as shown at 6 in Fig. 2.

The T members for connecting the horizontal rods with the uprights, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, are also made of sheet metal, preferably of copper, looped at one end and bent reversely upon itself so as to provide a pair of resilient, spaced legs 88 having spiral ribs 5' longitudinally thereon, so as to be adapted to be compressed and telescope or spiral within the hollow upright rod 1, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. The T connections may be formed to receive any desired shape of rod in their looped ends, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the connector 7, shown in Fig. 4, having a cylindrical socket so as to receive the cable rod 1 therethrough, while that shown in Fig. 5 has ribs 9 extending longitudinally of the head of the connector so as to receive and interlock with the ribs 5 of the rod section 1.

It is obvious that punching or crimping similar to that shown in Fig. 2, or any other suitable or equivalent means may be resorted to to hold the T connectors against accident al displacement relative to the upright sections 1.

The tip or point sections 9, shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, are also of tubular sheet copper formation, in this case being shown as seamless. Longitudinal ribs 10 are formed in the base of the points so as to cooperatively telescope over and enclose the upper end 2 of the upright rod section, as shown in Fig. l. The brace 12, shown in Fig. 1, may be of any desired or preferred construction and does not form a part of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wishto be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, arrangement, construction and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Means for connecting a transverse conductor to the open end of a longitudinally, spirally ribbed lightning rod, comprising a strap bent upon itself to encircle the conductor, each end of said strap having a rib extending longitudinally, centrally thereof,

and the adjacent edges of said ends coop crating to form longitudinal ribs,v whereby the ends may be compressed. for insertion into the rod with the ribs on the strap ends mating with the ribs on the rod.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

CHARLES D. DALLAS. 

